9.5" clutch alternatives

Ken Henry

Ken Henry

Senior Member
I've always battled with chatter using the stock 9.5" clutch and Long-style pressure plate in my 51 Ford car. The transmission is the three speed with overdrive. I'm building up a new 276 ci engine and have the opportunity to change it if there is an alternative out there that might work better.


Is there a diaphragm style pressure plate available that will bolt to the standard 8ba flywheel drilled for the 9.5" clutch? I see reference to part number 360030 but suspect this matches the bolt pattern of the 10" clutch Long-style pressure plate, which I believe is different...


I suppose one option would be to use a truck 8ba flywheel drilled for the 10" Long-style pressure plate and the 360030 diaphragm pressure plate. Or alternatively, a Mercury flywheel and some other diaphragm PP?? Getting confused here... Would I be able to use my stock release bearing?



Thanks for any input! Ken
 
Jegs drop shipped a centerforce II 10" to dual friction diaphragm clutch assembly and the required flywheel. About the same price as having all the other old stuff rebuilt. I couldn't be happier. Smooth and easy on old knees
 
I have the identical clutch in a 69 big block Camaro putting out about 450 horse. If been driven hard for about 7 years with no problems
 
Hi Gene, are you using this with the stock transmission? A little pricey but might be worth it... And does it work with the stock release bearing?
 
Do you recall which pressure plate it was? Maybe 183-CFT360060? That one appears to have the Long-style bolt pattern with three groups of two bolt holes each. Thanks again... Ken
 
here ya go $347 to your front door

[URL="https://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchResultsPageCmd?&Ntt=centerforce%20dual%20friction%20clutch%20kits&Tab=SKU&year=1951&make=FORD&model=VICTORIA&submodel=BASE&engine=V8+%28+3.9L+%2F+239+%29&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1[/URL]

I'll have to look for the p/n for the flywheel
 
just tried the link I sent no joy

Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch Includes Pressure Plate, Disc, & Bolts
Part Number: 183-DF021739
Centerforce
★★★★★

Centerforce DF021739
$347.95
 
Thanks, I think the original Ford transmission has a 1" 10-spline input shaft though, vs. 1 1/16" 10-spline for that part number. I'll call or email Centerforce before ordering, if I go this route... Ken
 
Ken,
My 2cents...after you have checked all the mounts are tight....get a 10" clutch and pp from VanPelt 513 724 9486.....bolt pattern the same.....if not bring the f'whl to me for a redrill. A must is have the f'whl ground.
Charlie ny
slightly so. of Buffalo

cas5845@yahoo.com
 
The diaphragm types are the most reliable and available types in the modern era since they are still manufactured. Most have the same even spaced bolt pattern same as the Borg & Beck 10-inch clutches used in the Mercury cars of the era. The ones I've seen for replacements for Long type clutches have special fingers on the diaphragm for use with the early style throw out.

The Long types generally work OK if they are properly set up. A lot of the reproductions are problematic and not easily adjustable for finger movement. Get a good original core Long type clutch rebuilt by a reputable shop like Fort Wayne Clutch and mate it to a well surfaced flywheel and they will generally be trouble free.
 
Thanks for the generous offer, Charlie. I read somewhere that the 9.5” Long pressure plate bolt pattern is slightly different, so redrilling may be the best bet.
 
Interesting thread. I try to use the 9 1/2 clutch in most street applications, and the stockcar engine as a lighter clutch and can be beefed up by Indiana clutch to hang onto all the power you can get from a flathead. Never had a problem with chatter, have redrilled the eatly lightened flywheel for this clutch. Bigest problem was modifying the throwout bearing mount.
Gramps
 
All the Long type clutches have different bolt circle diameter for each different size of clutch. The 9.5" is a good clutch but some folks have the disc modified with a different hub to fit the transmission input spline and diameter. It just depends on the transmission a person wants to use and the easiest way to modify for the clutch & transmission combo.

After a person has been around for more than a half century, they find out how things end up obsolete and hard to source. The old style clutches are harder to source but a resurgence of interest in the old flatheads has given us some new choices but I always wonder how much longer that will last before some of the new stuff is obsolete too. The old world, she keeps a changing whether we like it or not.
 
Thanks everyone for their input. I will likely have the flywheel redrilled. Now the question becomes, is there a 10/10.5" diaphragm pressure plate that has the correct geometry to work with the 51 Ford car transmission and clutch linkage? Fingers the correct height and length to work with the stock throwout bearing, etc. I understand the 49-51 transmissions use a smaller throwout bearing than the earlier models...
 
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